Market research

Nitrogen market in the Netherlands

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The nitrogen market volume in the Netherlands rose from 3 336 M m³ in 2018 to 4 676 M m³ in 2021, with production and imports both increasing. This growth occurred alongside drought conditions from 2018 to 2020, which affected agricultural nitrogen management, and ongoing policy measures aimed at reducing nitrogen surplus.

From 2022, the market entered a sharp contraction, falling to 2 795 M m³ by 2024. Stringent environmental regulations and nitrogen reduction policies directly led to decreased consumption of nitrogen fertilizers. Climate factors such as dry summers continued to influence nitrate concentrations, while stricter monitoring and reporting requirements reinforced the downturn.

In 2025, the market faces continued pressure from declining fertilizer consumption due to environmental rules, international trade barriers, and a significant 21% price increase for synthetic fertilizers driven by global market developments.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2024
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2024
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2024
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2024
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in the Netherlands
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2024, M m³
  2. 5.1.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, M m³
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, M m³
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2025, M m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, M m³
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/K m³
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the Netherlands, 2018-2025, $ US/K m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/K m³
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, M m³
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2025, M m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, M m³
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/K m³
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the Netherlands, 2018-2025, $ US/K m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/K m³
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, M m³
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2025, M m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, M m³
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/K m³
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the Netherlands, 2018-2025, $ US/K m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/K m³
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, M m³
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2025, M m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, M m³
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/K m³
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the Netherlands, 2018-2025, $ US/K m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the Netherlands by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/K m³
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, M m³
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, M m³
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production nitrogen in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Nitrogen production in the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 208.0 million US dollars, marking a significant increase of 34.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 43.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.1%	6.5%	34.7%	12.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In kind, 2018-2021, M m³

Nitrogen production in the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, 4 355 million cubic meters of nitrogen were produced, which is 2.0% higher than in 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 33.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, M m³

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.1%	22.6%	2.0%	10.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports nitrogen from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, M m³

The market showed volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 6.7 million cubic meters, with the largest decline of 5.4% recorded that year. In 2021, exports peaked at 20.9 million cubic meters, representing a sharp increase of 128.5% compared to the previous year. The gap between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2019 was 3.1-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, M m³

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.4%)	36.8%	128.5%	43.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the largest buyers of nitrogen from the Netherlands were Belgium, accounting for 64.3% of exports in kind, Germany with 15.3%, and the United Kingdom with 10.2%. Together, these three countries formed 89.8% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Nitrogen deliveries from the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 8 815 thousand US dollars, representing a 6.2% gain compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 83.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	57.0%	10.2%	6.2%	22.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium held the dominant position in exports in value terms, accounting for 82.9% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports nitrogen to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, M m³

Foreign nitrogen supplies to the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the Netherlands imported 341.4 million cubic meters of nitrogen, marking a rise of 104.3% relative to the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 275.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 55.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, M m³

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	54.9%	18.6%	104.3%	55.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, virtually all imports in kind of nitrogen to the Netherlands were associated with Belgium, which accounted for 90.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the Netherlands recorded the minimum import value of 34 108 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 13.5% that year. In 2021, imports totaled 47 858 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic advance of 40.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 31.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.6%	(13.5%)	40.3%	9.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Belgium clearly dominated imports in value terms of nitrogen to the Netherlands, taking 77.0% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io